NI film success recognised by Oscar nominations

Two Northern Ireland films have been nominated in this year's Oscars.

Writer/director Terry George has been nominated for Best Original Screenplay for his feature 'Hotel Rwanda' and director Gary McKendry has been nominated in the Best Live Action Short for 'Everything In This Country Must'.

Recently nominated for original screenplay in the 57th Annual Writers Guild, Hotel Rwanda, which is based on a true story, depicts the heroic actions of Paul Rusesabagina, who risked his life to save over a thousand Tutsis and Hutus marked for death during the Rwandan massacre.

Northern Irish director Gary McKendry has also picked up a Best Live Action Short nomination for his film 'Everything In This Country Must'. Based on the novel by Colum McCann, the film follows a young British soldier in Northern Ireland who is involved in an accident that kills a mother and her child and finds himself confronted by the consequences of his actions.

The film's line-producer Mike McGeagh, producer of the NIFTC-funded 'Mickybo & Me', soon to go on release in the UK, said: "I'm delighted to hear that Gary has been nominated for the film, particularly as it was such a personal project for him. Everybody worked extremely hard on the production and it's nice to see that effort get this sort of acknowledgement."

Colin Anderson, Chairman of the NIFTC, who provided locations services on the short film which was shot entirely on location in Northern Ireland in 2002, added: "I'm delighted to see Northern Irish talent showcased in the Oscar nominations. The nomination of Everything In This Country Must illustrates that the local film cast and crew talent is truly world class. This sort of accolade sends the clear message to international film producers that they can come to Northern Ireland in the knowledge that the workforce here is well capable of doing the job."

Richard Williams, the NIFTC's Chief Executive, added: "It is fantastic to see talent from here featuring so strongly in the Oscar nominations."

The Awards will take place in LA's Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2005.

(GB/MB)